Sole pressing machine



Nov. 19, 1957 H. E. MARAsc 2,813,282

soLE PREssING MACHINE Filed Feb. 11, 1957 I O m N INVENTOR.

F 9) HAROLD E. MARASCO VBY 4 United States Patent@ SOLE PRESSING MACHINEHarold E. Marasco, Swampscott, Mass. Application February 11, 1957,Serial No. 639,466

9 Claims. (Cl. 12-36.8)

This invention relates in general to sole pressing` machines andparticularly, to presses of the turret type for conforming and attachingsoles to the bottoms of lasted shoes by iluid pressure. In my priorUnited States Letters Patent No. 2,608,703, dated September 2, 1952,there is shown a sole pressing machine to which the present invention isapplicable as an improvement, although application of this invention isnot by any means limited to only the machine disclosed in that patent.

In my patent entitled Fluid-Pressure Sole Press, No. 2,787,799, grantedApril 9, 1957, I have disclosed an improvement in the press of theabove-mentioned patent which consists essentially in a fluid-operatedheel post arranged to move simultaneously with the pad on which the solerests to improve the speed and accuracy of the sole laying operation. Inaddition to improved speed and accuracy, clearance is provided for theconvenient insertion and removal of work. Furthermore, the press may beadapted to handle high and low heel shoes without mechanical adjustment.

Although the improvement disclosed in the pending application hasenjoyed wide acceptance and has performed in a completely satisfactorymanner, the cost of the machine has been undeniably increased because ofthe complexity of certain of the parts. Because my machine is basicallyof the turret type and has a plurality of radially disposed stationsabout a central cylinder, a valve was originally used in each of theradial lines extending fromthe central cylinder to the pad and to theheel post cylinder. Furthermore, to obtain the greatest benefits from myimproved machine, I found it desirable to provide a different pressurefor operating the heel post cylinder from that applied to the inflatablepad. The area of the inllatable pad in contact with the sole of the shoeis, of course, considerably greater than that of the piston of the heelpost cylinder. To compensate for the difierence in areas and maintainequal opposing pressures, a greater pressure is advantageously appliedto the heel post cylinder.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to equalize thepressures being applied from opposite sides to a heel post and a soleduring a sole attaching process.

Another object is to provide simple apparatus for establishing equal andopposing pressures without a multiplicity of reducing valves.

Still another object of the present invention is to simplify thestructure of turret type machines which utilize two or more differentfluid pressures for processing operations.

In general, my invention consists in a compartmented central reservoirfor lluid which is incorporated into the central support member of theturret type machine. Fluid under pressure is admitted to the compartmenthaving the highest pressure and a connection is made between thatcompartment and the compartment having the next highest uid pressure.This connection is made by way of apparatus such as a reducing valvewhich maintains the desired difference in pressure between the twocompartments. In those instances where it is desired, additionalcompartments may be formed in the central reservoir and reducing valvesprovided between adjacent compartments.

Radial taps for each` of the stations disposed about the.

turret extend from the appropriate compartments. Thus,

2,813,282 PatentedNov.` 19, 1951 ice 2 from a single reducing valvebetween adjacent compartments of different lluid pressure, it ispossible to `obtain luid at the desired pressure for all of the stationsof the machine.

For a better understanding of the present invention together with otherand further features, objects `and advantages, reference should be madeto the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof selectedfor purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, thesingle gure of which is a `view in elevation with certain parts shown inlongitudinal section.

To simplify the showing and to permit easier understanding of thepresent invention, it is shown as embodied in the machine of myabove-identified prior patent. Numerous details such as the starting andstopping mechanism, the valve and valve operating mechanism, the drivemotor and gearing as well as other conventional structure are not shownherein but may be similar to corresponding parts shown in the patentabove identified.

In the machine as shown, a frame 10 supports a rotatable turret whichincludes a vertically disposed cylinder 11 having a peripheral flangesupported by ball bearing upon the frame. Fluid under pressure, such ascompressed air, is supplied to the upper compartment 11b of the cylinderby way of a reducing valve 12, a rotatable joint 13 and an inlet pipe 24which extends through the lower compartment 11a. The upper end of thecylinder 11 is closed by a head 14. A sleeve 15 is telescopicallymounted on the upper end of the cylinder 11 and together with a disk 16forms a head for the hub of a spider vertically adjustable by means of ahand wheel 17 having a stem threaded into the head 14 of the cylinder1K1.

The turret carries a plurality of sole press units of which two are`shown in the drawing. Arms 18 project radially from the cylinder 11 andeach carriesat its outer end a base plate 19 inclined downwardly andoutwardly at an angle which may be of the order of 45. Upon each of thebase plates 19 is mounted a pad box 20 adjustably connected to the baseplate by a screw 21. The pad box contains an inflatable pad 22attachedto the pad box 20 and constructed in the conventional manner.The cylinder 11 is divided by means of a disk 23 into two cornpartments11u and 11b. The inlet pipe 24 extends from the rotating joint 13 upthrough the lower compartment to the compartment 11b through an aperturein the disk 23. In this fashion iluid under pressure determined by thereducing valve 12` is introduced into the upper cornpartment 11b.

Communication between the upper compartment `11b and the compartment 11ais by way of connections including a reducing valve 25. Each of the padboxes 20 is connected to the compartment 1111` of the iluid pressurecylinder 11. This connection is made by way of a pipe line 26 in which avalve 27 is provided. Operation of the valve 27 will be explained ingreater detail hereinbelow.

The adjustable cap 15 is provided with outwardly extending, overhangingarms 31 which correspond to and are similarly disposed to the arms 18 ofthe cylinder 11. Each arm 31 is provided with a bracket at its extremeend to which is attached a lluid pressure cylinder 32. A lluid pressureline 33 leads from the head of each pressure cylinder 32 to thecompartment 11b of fluid pressure cylinder 11. Interposed in the lluidpressure line 33 is a valve 34. The operation of this valve will also beexplained in greater detail hereinbelow.

A piston 35 is disposed within the air cylinder 32. A compression spring36 is coiled about the piston rod 37 to which the heel post 38 isattached.v The compression spring 36 normally urges the piston towardthe 'top` of the cylinder as seen in the drawing, thus maintaining theheel post 38 in a retracted position Vof maximum separation from `thepad 22 under normal circumstances. There is also attached to each arm31, a toe post 39'whichis arranged to engage the forepart of the shoeduring the SQlelaying, -operatoll, .but`v which is notv retractablelinmthe menneroffthe. licei post 38., In thevshowingjat the left sideofi thedrawingsthe rheel' post 38 is retracted and the pad 22 isdeflated. In this position, with the pad deflated' and the heel. postretracted, maximum clearance is avail'` able kand..at.;thisNatation,,loading of the. shoes may be accomplished. After the work is` properlypositioned-on the; inflated, pad.,22,.the valyes 27' and 34 are opened'.Immediatelthepm becomes infiated and the heel post 38,:i's.. adyanceds,vTriggering ofthe valvesito accomplish these functionsamay be doneautomatically ormanually. Themechanism; for, operating ,the valvesincludes a rod 41 pi-Yotallyonnected to. a Vlever, armv42 whichin turn,is pivotallyconnected g, to` apush rod l43. Push yrod 43contact'siiheiend. of, apiyotedtriangular rocker 44` whichl is connectedtosslidingfgates in Avalves 27 and 354- Triangularrocken1.4.5i`snormally maintained in the position Showuulheleftrhaud portionof the drawing by reason of acam 45'shown yinaphantciim at the left of,the drawing which urgcsitherocker 4 4 in a clockwise directionwhen .therockerfenga'ges its .upper surface. The cam is actuallylocatedonaportionof the frame 10- not shown in the figure.

However, when.. the rod 41V isjdepressed, triangular rocker 44,pivotsand pulls the valves open, permitting the padf22. tobecomeinflated and the heel post 38 to bear downonstheiheel cone of the last.

Ae iherighthandsine. ofihe `drawing the disposition erthovariousrelements'of my soleY press after application of pressuremaybe seen.Y Actually, the pressmaybe arranged totindex as. manytimesasdesired about acircle- Pressure maybe. maintained for as much of thecircular travel as isrcquired forpropen attachment of the soles -to thelastedshoes. AfterA the application of full uid pressure tothe. pad andto. the heelpost cylinder, the rst indexing action carries. the turret.a: sufficient distance vto bring the next armbefore-the. operator.EitherV manually or automatically, as by.contact-of cam 4 5with rocker44, the unit'arriving before. the operator is deflated, fluid beingventedl through the.K valyeszfland 34permitting easy` removaliof.v thefinished shoe. After` unloading,y loading as described previously,recommences., The loading and unloading may` beperformed at the, sameordilerentstations. depending upon f the. requirements of the process. a

Havingfthus disclosedmy invention and described irl detail` apreferredjembodiment thereof, I claim as new and desireftogsecure by4 LettersP-atent:

l. A sole press comprising an inllatablepadmounted toflluderlie thebottom of a lasted shoe, a fluid operated heelypostmounted oppositetheYheel end of the pad, a firstrefservoir of fluidhaving connections ,forinating said pad, a. secondreservoir of 'uuid having connections foractuating said heelpost,` andmeans interconnecting said first andsecondreservoirs for maintaining a,difr` erenceof fluid` pressuretherebetween.

`2.l A sole presscomprising avnormally deflated i'nfiatable padmountedto underlie the bottom of a lasted shoe, a normally retractedfluidoperated heel postmounted opposite-.the heel end of` the pad, afirstr reservoir of fluid connected to said, inflatable pad, a secondreservoir of ui'd Connectedl to.said heel` post, means interconnecting`said first andsecond reservoirs for maintaining a difference of fluidpressure therebetween, means disposed between said first'reservoir and'said inatable pad and'means disposed between said second reservoir andsaid heel post for simultaneously infiating said-pad and advancingsaidheel ost. p 3. A solepresscomprisinga rotatable turret, a pluralityorsolespressing-'units'carried by said turret, each including aninflatable pad; an overhanging arm, a fluid-pressure cylindu-mountedonf. said'. arm, a pistonin said cylinder,l a

carried byfpistons, e: rst source. ofY duid connecting said vfirstfandsaid second sources to maintain a difference of pressuretherebetween, means disposd between said first source and saidinflatable pad and means disposed between said second source and fluidpressure cylinder for simultaneously inflating said pad and actuatingsaid cylinder toadyance said heel posttoward said inflatable pad.

4. A sole pressing machine comprising a main frame, a compartmentedlcylindricalv fluid-pressure. reservoir mounted in said frame forrotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of units spaced radiallyabout said reservoir, each of said units including an inflatable pad, anoverhanging arm, a cylinder carried by said arm,'a piston disposed insaidcylinder, a heel post attached to said piston, a firstfluid-pressure connection between one cmi),-r partment of said reservoirand said pad, and a second fluid-pressure connectionbetween a of saidreservoir and saidcylinder.

SQ. A solepressing machine as described in claim 4. including acontrolling valve connected between said one, compartment and saidsecond compartment of said fluidpressure reservoir for maintainingadifierence of fluid pressure therebetween.

6. A sole pressingmachine asdescribed in claim 5. including means forsimultaneously controlling the in` troduction of'fluid under pressure tosaid pad and tosaid. cylinder.

7. A turret solel pressing machine comprising an inflatable pad forunderlyingV a lasted shoe, an overhanging arm, a iluidpressure cylinderand pison mountedon said arm, a heel post attached to said piston, aspring normally urging said piston and heel post away from said pad, acompartmented fluid pressure reservoir disposed centrally of saidmachine, means vfor introducing fluid at a predetermined pressure to afirst compartment of said reservoir, means including. a, reducing valveconnecting said first compartment to'said second compartment, a firstfluid-pressure connection between said first compartment andsaidpcylinder, and a second fluid-pressure. con nection between saidsecond compartment and said pad.

8.r A turretsolepressi'ng machine as described in claim 7 including afirstA valve disposed in said first fiuid-pres sure connection, a secondvalve disposed in said second fluid-pressure connection, and means forsimultaneously operating said valves to control the application of`fluid under pressure to said cylinder and to said pad. Y

9. A turret sole pressing machine comprising a main frame, acompartmented cylindrical fluid-pressure reservoir mounted in said framefor rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of sole pressing unitscarried by said turret and spaced radially about said reservoir, each ofsaid units including an inatable pad for underlyingY a lasted shoe,alike plurality of overhanging arms similarly radially spaced aboutlsaid reservoir, a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston carried by eachsaid arm, a heel post mounted on each said piston, a spring disposedineach said cylinder. and acting on each said'piston to maintain each saidheel post normally retracted from its. associated inflatable pad, alike, plurality of fluid-pressure connections between each said cylinderand a first compartment of said cylindrical reservoir, a like pluralityof fluid-pressure connections between each said inflatable pad and asecond compartment of said fluid-pressure reservoir, means including areducing valve connecting saidy first compartment to said secondcompartment, a first valve disposed in each. said fluid-pressureconnectionv between each said cylinder and said first compartment, asecond valve disposed in each said fluid-pressure connection be.- tweeneach. said inflatable pad and said second compartment, and means forsimultaneously operating said first `andsecond valves to control theapplication of fluid under pressureto said cylinder and said pad.

No sentences cited.-

second corrngartirieuty

